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News Release 19-073
Inv. No(s). TA-204-013
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) today released its report on its monitoring of developments in the U.S. large residential washer industry since the President’s imposition of a safeguard measure on imports of large residential washers and certain parts thereof.
The report, Large Residential Washers: Monitoring Developments in the Domestic Industry, is available to the public via the USITC website (www.usitc.gov).
The measure took effect on February 7, 2018. The President imposed the measure after receiving a USITC determination (under section 202 of the Trade Act of 1974) that large residential washers and certain parts were being imported into the United States in such increased quantities as to be a substantial cause of serious injury to the domestic industry. The measure was in the form of tariff-rate quotas on imports of large residential washers and certain parts thereof for a period of three years and one day. See Proclamation 9694 of January 23, 2018.
As required by section 204(a) of the Trade Act of 1974, on February 15, 2019, the Commission instituted a mid-term review to report to the President and the Congress on the results of its monitoring of developments within the large residential washer industry since imposition of the safeguard measure.
Large Residential Washers: Monitoring Developments in the Domestic Industry (Inv. No. TA-204-013, USITC Publication 4941, August 2019) is available at https://www.usitc.gov/publications/701_731/pub4941.pdf.
News Release 19-069
Inv. No(s). 701-TA-609 and 731-TA-1421 (Final)
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of steel trailer wheels from China that the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) has determined are subsidized and sold in the United States at less than fair value.
Chairman David S. Johanson and Commissioners Irving A. Williamson, Meredith M. Broadbent, Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, and Jason E. Kearns voted in the affirmative.
As a result of the USITC’s affirmative determinations, Commerce will issue antidumping and countervailing duty orders on imports of this product from China.
The Commission also made negative findings concerning critical circumstances with regard to imports of this product from China. As a result, imports of steel trailer wheels from China will not be subject to retroactive antidumping or countervailing duties.
The Commission’s public report Steel Trailer Wheels from China (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-609 and 731-TA-1421 (Final), USITC Publication 4943, August 2019) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.
The report will be available by September 12, 2019; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: https://www.usitc.gov/commission_publications_library.
UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20436
FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS
Steel Trailer Wheels from China
Investigation Nos. 701-TA-609 and 731-TA-1421 (Final)
Product Description: Trailer wheels are used to provide mobility for trailers, including utility trailers, cargo trailers, horse trailers, boat trailers, and towable recreational trailers (towable RVs).
Status of Proceedings:
1. Type of investigation: Final phase antidumping and countervailing duty investigations.
2. Petitioners: Dexstar Wheel, Elkhart, IN.
3. USITC Institution Date: Wednesday, August 8, 2018.
4. USITC Hearing Date: Tuesday, July 9, 2019.
5. USITC Vote Date: Friday, August 2, 2019.
6. USITC Notification to Commerce Date: Thursday, August 22, 2019.
U.S. Industry in 2018:
1. Number of U.S. producers: 2.
2. Location of producers’ plants: Indiana and South Carolina.
3. Production and related workers: [1]
4. U.S. producers’ U.S. shipments: 1
5. Apparent U.S. consumption: 1
6. Ratio of subject imports to apparent U.S. consumption: 1
U.S. Imports in 2018:
1. Subject imports: $73.0 million.
2. Nonsubject imports: 1
3. Leading import sources: China.
[1] Withheld to avoid disclosure of business proprietary information.
News Release 19-071
Inv. No(s). 731-TA-1123 (Second Review)
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that revoking the existing antidumping duty order on imports of steel wire garment hangers from China would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury within a reasonably foreseeable time.
As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determination, the existing antidumping duty order on imports of this product from China will remain in place.
Chairman David S. Johanson and Commissioners Irving A. Williamson, Meredith M. Broadbent, Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, and Jason E. Kearns voted in the affirmative.
Today’s action comes under the five-year (sunset) review process required by the Uruguay Round Agreements Act. See the attached page for background on this five-year (sunset) review.
The Commission’s public report Steel Wire Garment Hangers from China (Inv. No. 731-TA-1123 (Second Review), USITC Publication 4945, August 2019) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the review.
The report will be available by September 12, 2019; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: https://www.usitc.gov/commission_publications_library.
BACKGROUND
The Uruguay Round Agreements Act requires the Department of Commerce to revoke an antidumping or countervailing duty order, or terminate a suspension agreement, after five years unless the Department of Commerce and the USITC determine that revoking the order or terminating the suspension agreement would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping or subsidies (Commerce) and of material injury (USITC) within a reasonably foreseeable time.
The Commission’s institution notice in five-year reviews requests that interested parties file responses with the Commission concerning the likely effects of revoking the order under review as well as other information. Generally within 95 days from institution, the Commission will determine whether the responses it has received reflect an adequate or inadequate level of interest in a full review. If responses to the USITC’s notice of institution are adequate, or if other circumstances warrant a full review, the Commission conducts a full review, which includes a public hearing and issuance of questionnaires.
The Commission generally does not hold a hearing or conduct further investigative activities in expedited reviews. Commissioners base their injury determination in expedited reviews on the facts available, including the Commission’s prior injury and review determinations, responses received to its notice of institution, data collected by staff in connection with the review, and information provided by the Department of Commerce.
The five-year (sunset) review concerning Steel Wire Garment Hangers from China was instituted on February 1, 2019.
On May 8, 2019, the Commission voted to conduct an expedited review. Chairman David S. Johanson and Commissioners Irving A. Williamson, Meredith M. Broadbent, Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, and Jason E. Kearns concluded that the domestic group response was adequate and the respondent group response was inadequate and voted for an expedited review.
A record of the Commission’s vote to conduct an expedited review is available from the Office of the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. Requests may be made by telephone by calling 202-205-1802.
News Release 19-072
Inv. No(s). 731-TA-749 (Fourth Review)
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that revoking the existing antidumping duty order on imports of persulfates from China would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury within a reasonably foreseeable time.
As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determination, the existing antidumping duty order on imports of this product from China will remain in place.
Chairman David S. Johanson and Commissioners Irving A. Williamson, Meredith M. Broadbent, Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, and Jason E. Kearns voted in the affirmative.
Today’s action comes under the five-year (sunset) review process required by the Uruguay Round Agreements Act. See the attached page for background on this five-year (sunset) review.
The Commission’s public report Persulfates from China (Inv. No. 731-TA-749 (Fourth Review), USITC Publication 4946, August 2019) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the review.
The report will be available by September 5, 2019; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: https://www.usitc.gov/commission_publications_library.
BACKGROUND
The Uruguay Round Agreements Act requires the Department of Commerce to revoke an antidumping or countervailing duty order, or terminate a suspension agreement, after five years unless the Department of Commerce and the USITC determine that revoking the order or terminating the suspension agreement would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping or subsidies (Commerce) and of material injury (USITC) within a reasonably foreseeable time.
The Commission’s institution notice in five-year reviews requests that interested parties file responses with the Commission concerning the likely effects of revoking the order under review as well as other information. Generally within 95 days from institution, the Commission will determine whether the responses it has received reflect an adequate or inadequate level of interest in a full review. If responses to the USITC’s notice of institution are adequate, or if other circumstances warrant a full review, the Commission conducts a full review, which includes a public hearing and issuance of questionnaires.
The Commission generally does not hold a hearing or conduct further investigative activities in expedited reviews. Commissioners base their injury determination in expedited reviews on the facts available, including the Commission’s prior injury and review determinations, responses received to its notice of institution, data collected by staff in connection with the review, and information provided by the Department of Commerce.
The five-year (sunset) reviews concerning Persulfates from China was instituted on February 1, 2019.
On May 8, 2019, the Commission voted to conduct an expedited review. Chairman David S. Johanson and Commissioners Irving A. Williamson, Meredith M. Broadbent, Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, and Jason E. Kearns concluded that the domestic group response was adequate and the respondent group response was inadequate and voted for an expedited review.
A record of the Commission’s vote to conduct an expedited review is available from the Office of the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. Requests may be made by telephone by calling 202-205-1802.
News Release 19-067
Inv. No(s). TA-103-032
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
However, USITC Notifies USTR That Two Domestic Producers Filed Objections
Proposed modifications to the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS) rules of origin are likely to have a negligible effect on U.S. imports and U.S. exports, but they could impact the U.S. industry that produces some of the affected articles, reports the United States International Trade Commission (USITC) in its publication U.S.-Korea FTA: Advice on Modifications to Certain Textile and Apparel Rules of Origin.
The USITC, an independent, nonpartisan, factfinding federal agency, produced the report at the request of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR).
As requested, the report provides advice on the probable economic effect of the proposed modifications to the U.S.-Korea FTA rules of origin on U.S. trade under the agreement, on total U.S. trade, and on domestic production of the affected articles. The proposed modifications, detailed in the USTR's request letter, cover the following of headings of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS):
- Certain cotton yarns (under HTS heading 5206) with viscose rayon staple fibers (under HTS subheadings 5504.10 or 5507.00);
- Certain woven fabrics (under HTS heading 5408) with cuprammonium rayon yarns (under HTS subheading 5403.39); and
- Certain apparel (under HTS heading 6110), accessories, and apparel parts (under HTS heading 6117) of cashmere yarns (under HTS heading 5108).
Each of the proposed modifications to the rules of origin would liberalize the current rules of origin by allowing the use of more non-originating materials. However, because U.S. imports from Korea are a small portion of total U.S imports of the affected articles, and because Korea is not a major producer of the affected articles, the likely effect of the proposed modifications on imports under KORUS and on total U.S. imports of these products is negligible.
Similarly, because the United States exported little to none (both in terms of value and as a share of total U.S. exports of these products) of the affected articles to Korea in 2018, the likely effect of the proposed modification on exports under KORUS and on total U.S. exports would be negligible as well.
The Commission received two objections from domestic producers of two of the articles affected by the proposed modification. One domestic producer of cotton yarns with viscose rayon staple fibers objected to the first of the proposed modifications as they produce the end-use product covered by that modification. Another domestic producer of cashmere yarns objected to the third modification as they produce the input covered by that modification.
U.S.-Korea FTA: Advice on Modifications to Certain Textile and Apparel Rules of Origin (Inv. No. FTA-103-032, USITC publication 4917, June 2019) is available at https://www.usitc.gov/sites/default/files/publications/tariff_affairs/pub4917.pdf
News Release 19-066
Inv. No(s). 337-TA-1169
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain fish-handling pliers and packaging thereof. The products at issue in the investigation are described in the Commission’s notice of investigation.
The investigation is based on a complaint filed by United Plastic Molders, Inc., of Jackson, MS, on June 21, 2019. The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain fish-handling pliers and packaging thereof that infringe a patent and registered trademarks asserted by the complainant. The complainant requests that the USITC issue a general exclusion order, or in the alternative a limited exclusion order, and cease and desist orders.
The USITC has identified the following as respondents in this investigation:
Yixing Five Union Industry & Trade Co., Ltd., of Yixing City, Jiangsu Province, China;
NOEBY Fishing Tackle Co., Ltd. of Weihai, Shandong Province, China;
Weihai iLure Fishing Tackle Co., Ltd., of Weihai, Shandong Province, China;
SamsFX of Yangzhou City, Jiangsu Province, China; and
Weihai Lotus Outdoor Co., Ltd., of Weihai City, Shandong Province, China.
By instituting this investigation (337-TA-1169), the USITC has not yet made any decision on the merits of the case. The USITC’s Chief Administrative Law Judge will assign the case to one of the USITC’s administrative law judges (ALJ), who will schedule and hold an evidentiary hearing. The ALJ will make an initial determination as to whether there is a violation of section 337; that initial determination is subject to review by the Commission.
The USITC will make a final determination in the investigation at the earliest practicable time. Within 45 days after institution of the investigation, the USITC will set a target date for completing the investigation. USITC remedial orders in section 337 cases are effective when issued and become final 60 days after issuance unless disapproved for policy reasons by the U.S. Trade Representative within that 60-day period.
News Release 19-065
Inv. No(s). 701-TA-626 and 731-TA-1452-1454 (Preliminary)
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that there is a reasonable indication that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of collated steel staples from China that are allegedly subsidized and sold in the United States at less than fair value. The Commission further found that imports of this product from Korea and Taiwan are negligible and voted to terminate those investigations.
Chairman David S. Johanson and Commissioners Irving A. Williamson, Meredith M. Broadbent, and Rhonda K. Schmidtlein voted in the affirmative with respect to China and made findings of negligibility with respect to Korea and Taiwan. Commissioner Jason E. Kearns did not participate in these investigations.
As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determinations, the U.S. Department of Commerce will continue with its antidumping and countervailing duty investigations concerning imports of this product from China, with its preliminary countervailing duty determination due on or about August 30, 2019, and its preliminary antidumping duty determination due on or about November 16, 2019. As a result of the Commission’s findings of negligibility, the investigations concerning imports of this product from Korea and Taiwan will be terminated.
The Commission’s public report Certain Collated Steel Staples from China, Korea, and Taiwan (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-626 and 731-TA-1452-1454 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 4939, July 2019) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.
The report will be available after August 19, 2019; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: https://www.usitc.gov/commission_publications_library.
UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20436
FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS
Certain Collated Steel Staples from China, Korea, and Taiwan
Investigation Nos. 701-TA-626 and 731-TA-1452-1454 (Preliminary)
Product Description: Certain collated steel staples (“CCS Staple”) are fasteners made from steel wire consisting of two same-size pointed or pointless legs connected by a crown located opposite from the staple-point ends, which is typically produced from low-carbon steel and is either uncoated or coated (galvanized with zinc). The principal use of a CCS staple is in structural and building construction to fasten two or more pieces of hard and dense material, including but not limited to wood or other solid building materials.
Status of Proceedings:
1. Type of investigation: Preliminary phase antidumping duty and countervailing duty investigations.
2. Petitioners: Kyocera Senco Industrial Tools, Inc., Cincinnati, OH.
3. USITC Institution Date: Thursday, June 6, 2019.
4. USITC Conference Date: Thursday, June 27, 2019.
5. USITC Vote Date: Friday, July 19, 2019.
6. USITC Notification to Commerce Date: Monday, July 22, 2019.
U.S. Industry in 2018:
1. Number of U.S. producers: 3
2. Location of producers’ plants: Indiana, New Hampshire, and Ohio.
3. Production and related workers: [1]
4. U.S. producers’ U.S. shipments: 1
5. Apparent U.S. consumption: 1
6. Ratio of subject imports to apparent U.S. consumption: 1
U.S. Imports in 2018:
1. Subject imports: 1
2. Nonsubject imports: 1
3. Leading import sources: China.
[1] Withheld to avoid disclosure of business proprietary information.
News Release 19-064
Inv. No(s). 701-TA-607 and 731-TA-1417 and 1419 (Final)
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of steel propane cylinders from China and Thailand that the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) has determined are sold in the United States at less than fair value and subsidized by the government of China.
Chairman David S. Johanson and Commissioners Irving A. Williamson, Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, and Jason E. Kearns voted in the affirmative. Commissioner Meredith M. Broadbent did not participate in these investigations.
As a result of the USITC’s affirmative determinations, Commerce will issue antidumping and countervailing duty orders on imports of this product from China and antidumping duty orders on such imports from Thailand.
The Commission’s public report Steel Propane Cylinders from China and Thailand (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-607 and 731-TA-1417 and 1419 (Final), USITC Publication 4938, August 2019) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.
The report will be available by August 26, 2019; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: https://www.usitc.gov/commission_publications_library.
UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20436
FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS
Steel Propane Cylinders from China and Thailand
Investigation Nos. 701-TA-607 and 731-TA-1417 and 1419 (Final)
Product Description: Steel propane cylinders, used for the storage, transport, and dispensing of compressed or liquefied propane gas, are produced to meet the requirements of U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Specifications 4B, 4BA, or 4BW; Transport Canada Specification 4BM, 4BAM, or 4BWM; or United Nations pressure receptacle standard ISO 4706. Steel propane cylinders range from 2.5 pound nominal gas capacity (approximate 6 pound water capacity and approximate 4–6 pound tare weight) to 42 pound nominal gas capacity (approximate 100 pound water capacity and approximate 28–32 pound tare weight). Steel propane cylinders have two or fewer ports and may be imported assembled or unassembled (i.e., welded or brazed before or after importation), with or without all components (including collars, valves, gauges, tanks, foot rings, and overfill prevention devices), and coated or uncoated. Also included within the scope are drawn cylinder halves, unfinished propane cylinders, collars, and foot rings for steel propane cylinders.
Status of Proceedings:
1. Type of investigation: Final countervailing duty and antidumping investigations.
2. Petitioners: Worthington Industries Inc., Columbus, OH; and Manchester Tank and Equipment, Franklin, TN.
3. USITC Institution Date: May 22, 2018.
4. USITC Hearing Date: June 5, 2019.
5. USITC Vote Date: July 17, 2019.
6. USITC Notification to Commerce Date: August 5, 2019.
U.S. Industry in 2018:
1. Number of U.S. producers: 2.
2. Location of producers’ plants: California, Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee, and Texas.
3. Production and related workers: [1]
4. U.S. producers’ U.S. shipments: 1
5. Apparent U.S. consumption: 1
6. Ratio of subject imports to apparent U.S. consumption: 1
U.S. Imports in 2018:
1. Subject imports: 1
2. Nonsubject imports: 1
3. Leading import sources: China and Thailand.
[1] Withheld to avoid disclosure of business proprietary information.
News Release 19-063
Inv. No(s). 701-TA-453 and 731-TA-1136-1137 (Second Review)
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that revoking the existing antidumping duty orders on imports of sodium nitrite from China and Germany and the existing countervailing duty order on imports of this product from China would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury within a reasonably foreseeable time.
As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determinations, the existing antidumping duty orders on imports of this product from China and Germany and the existing countervailing duty order on imports of this product from China will remain in place.
Chairman David S. Johanson and Commissioners Irving A. Williamson, Meredith M. Broadbent, Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, and Jason E. Kearns voted in the affirmative.
Today’s action comes under the five-year (sunset) review process required by the Uruguay Round Agreements Act. See the attached page for background on these five-year (sunset) reviews.
The Commission’s public report Sodium Nitrite from China and Germany (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-453 and 731-TA-1136-1137 (Second Review), USITC Publication 4936, July 2019) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the reviews.
The report will be available by August 21, 2019; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: https://www.usitc.gov/commission_publications_library.
BACKGROUND
The Uruguay Round Agreements Act requires the Department of Commerce to revoke an antidumping or countervailing duty order, or terminate a suspension agreement, after five years unless the Department of Commerce and the USITC determine that revoking the order or terminating the suspension agreement would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping or subsidies (Commerce) and of material injury (USITC) within a reasonably foreseeable time.
The Commission’s institution notice in five-year reviews requests that interested parties file responses with the Commission concerning the likely effects of revoking the order under review as well as other information. Generally within 95 days from institution, the Commission will determine whether the responses it has received reflect an adequate or inadequate level of interest in a full review. If responses to the USITC’s notice of institution are adequate, or if other circumstances warrant a full review, the Commission conducts a full review, which includes a public hearing and issuance of questionnaires.
The Commission generally does not hold a hearing or conduct further investigative activities in expedited reviews. Commissioners base their injury determination in expedited reviews on the facts available, including the Commission’s prior injury and review determinations, responses received to its notice of institution, data collected by staff in connection with the review, and information provided by the Department of Commerce.
The five-year (sunset) reviews concerning Sodium Nitrite from China and Germany were instituted on January 2, 2019.
On April 12, 2019, the Commission voted to conduct expedited reviews. Chairman David S. Johanson and Commissioners Irving A. Williamson, Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, Meredith M. Broadbent, and Jason E. Kearns concluded that the domestic group response was adequate and the respondent group responses were inadequate and voted for expedited reviews.
A record of the Commission’s vote to conduct expedited reviews is available from the Office of the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. Requests may be made by telephone by calling 202-205-1802.
News Release 19-061
Inv. No(s). 332-501
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) today released its annual compilation of reports published every two weeks on textile and apparel imports from China.
The report, Textile and Apparel Imports from China: Statistical Reports, Annual Compilation 2018, was requested by the U.S. House of Representatives' Committee on Ways and Means.
As requested, the USITC, an independent, nonpartisan, factfinding federal agency, produced an annual compilation of data that has been posted on a bi-weekly basis on the USITC website. The data in the report are shown on an annual and quarterly basis, by category and by Harmonized Tariff Schedule 10-digit statistical reporting number (HTS10).
By category, annual data are provided from 2012 through 2018, and quarterly data are provided from first quarter 2017 through fourth quarter 2018. By HTS10, annual data are provided from 2016 through 2018, and quarterly data are provided from first quarter 2017 through fourth quarter 2018.
The report will be available on the USITC Internet site at https://www.usitc.gov/sites/default/files/publications/332/pub4916.pdf.
USITC general factfinding investigations, such as this one, cover matters related to tariffs or trade and are generally conducted at the request of the U.S. Trade Representative, the House Committee on Ways and Means, or the Senate Committee on Finance. The resulting reports convey the Commission's objective findings and independent analyses on the subjects investigated. The Commission makes no recommendations on policy or other matters in its general factfinding reports. Upon completion of each investigation, the USITC submits its findings and analyses to the requester. General factfinding investigation reports are subsequently released to the public unless they are classified by the requester for national security reasons.